Current and Future Respiratory Medicine Challenges: Insights from a Barcelona Respiratory Network Foundation Retreat in Barcelona in 2017
Jordi Dorca 1, Álvar Agustí 2, Eduard Monsó 3
1 Pneumology Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona (Spain). Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL). Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Respiratory Network (BRN) Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; 2 Editor in chief, BRN Reviews; 3 Pneumology Service, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Terrassa, Barcelona (Spain). Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Centre for Biomedical Investigation Network of Respiratory Disease (CIBERES); Barcelona Respiratory Network (BRN) Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
*Correspondence: Álvar Agustí, Email not available
Abstract
On a global level, respiratory diseases impose a major worldwide health burden affecting millions of people. Respiratory diseases are not only very common but present a great challenge to human health and a productive economy. Prevention, control and cure of these conditions are among the most cost-effective interventions to be taken within a healthcare system and must be a priority for researchers as well as for health authorities. Today, many novel technologies can potentially improve the diagnosis and control of numerous diseases, and the present challenge is how they can be quickly developed and implemented. This review summarises the main conclusions of a Barcelona Respiratory Network (BRN) Foundation Retreat held last year in Barcelona. The debate was structured around four distinct sections: 1) trends that impact current society; 2) foreseeable changes in the field of respiratory health; 3) challenges for the future of healthcare systems; and, 4) future biomedical research trends in respiratory medicine.
